St Clement Church Community Sunday Service
Good morning
Today is Advent 4 – when we remember Mary, the mother of our Lord. I must admit that I am in awe of this young girl, probably ten years younger than I was when I had my first son, carrying this miraculous being, facing shame and possible death, and then having to deliver the Son of God in a stable.
Next Sunday will be Christmas Day – I can’t believe how quickly this year has passed. In our last week before Christmas, let us set aside some time to be still, to calm ourselves from the rush of ‘Is everything ready? Is all the food bought/ordered? Have all the presents been brought, wrapped, and sent? What else do I need to do?’ Rather, may we think about what the true season of Christmas means and whether we are ready, in all humility, to welcome the baby King?
I wish you all a peaceful and blessed Christmas.
God Bless
Love to you all.
Liz xx
Let us pray
Holy Lord, everything we need is found in you. For those of us who come here feeling broken, bring restoration. For those of us who come here feeling weak, bring strength. For those who come here weeping, bring joy. For those of us who come here with doubts, bring faith. For those of us who come here feeling shame, bring freedom. For those of us who come here feeling burdened, bring rest. For those of us who come here feeling anxious, bring peace. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen
Hymn: 185 Sing we of the blessed Mother
Our Prayers of Penitence
God of healing, God of wholeness, we bring our brokenness, our sinfulness, our fears and despair, and lay them at your feet.
God of healing, God of wholeness, we hold out hearts and hands, minds and souls to feel your touch, and know the peace that only you can bring.
God of healing, God of wholeness, this precious moment in your presence and power grant us faith and confidence that here broken lives are made whole. Amen
Collect for Advent 4
God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our Saviour, so may we be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Readings
Isaiah 7. 10 - 16
Romans 1. 1 - 7
Hymn: 365 God moves in a mysterious way
Gospel reading – Matthew 1. 18 - 25
(Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew Response: Glory to you O Lord)
The birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet.
‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from his sleep, he did as the angel commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
(This is the Gospel of the Lord Response: Praise to you, O Christ)
Reflection
Our Gospel reading today is a very well-known one, isn’t it? Well, it should be because we hear it every year! But, I wonder whether you appreciate the difference between an engagement/betrothal as we understand it and how it was in Jesus’ time.
Marriage in first century Palestine had two aspects - first the betrothal and then the marriage proper. The marriages were usually arranged by parents or professional match-makers. Betrothal was a legally binding arrangement that could only be set aside by divorce. The couple were understood to be husband and wife although the woman remained in her parent’ home for one more year between betrothal and marriage. After a year had expired there was a formal ceremony and the marriage was consummated. Mary becoming pregnant during this period exposed her to public ridicule and shame, and possibly death. It also exposed Joseph to public ridicule, shame, and humiliation. If he claimed the child as his own, he would suffer the loss of his reputation and community standing. Who would believe the story? The idea of a virgin conception was just as ludicrous then as it is now.
Matthew doesn’t tell us how the Virgin birth took place – except that it was by the Holy Spirit. Luke gives us a little more detail, the angel telling Mary that ‘the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.’ The Virgin Birth is a divine miracle in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew tells us two things about Jesus (Yeshua = ‘Yahweh Saves’): What he does: You shall call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins. Many people looked forward to national, political and economic deliverance when the Son of David came in conquering power. But, Matthew shows us a much deeper human need: he comes to save us from our sins – our spiritual needs far outweigh other needs.
The miracle of Virgin Birth, though wonderful, is really secondary in this passage, a sign of the far greater miracle and mystery of the Incarnation – the mystery of God becoming flesh and taking his place amongst us as one of us.
You see, God has become ‘one of us.’ This is one of the major differences between Christianity and Islam. For Islam, Allah is so high and so holy it is inconceivable that he could have contact with such as us – he remains aloof, untouchable, and untouched
by human contamination, suffering and need. He can send angels, prophets, or messengers but he cannot come. Christianity is different: God didn’t just send angels, prophets and messengers – he came! In Jesus, God has come close. God has taken human nature to his own divine being. God is a God of grace who stoops to take us by the hand.
Matthew quotes from the Old Testament: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him “Immanuel” -which means, “God with us”’ If the name Jesus is descriptive of what Jesus does, Immanuel is descriptive of who Jesus is – God with us.
The miracle of the Virgin Birth points towards the humanity and the deity of Jesus. He was a human person born in the normal way. He is also the eternal God who has come to us – the God-man. Jesus didn’t begin his existence at Christmas, but as eternal God, entered into time and space at Christmas. ‘For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given’ … (Isaiah 9:6)
If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. Jesus Christ is the ‘Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing …’ He is the revelation of the will, wisdom, and person of God. His teaching is the instruction of God. His death is the death of God-for-us. His resurrection is the victory of God! The meaning of Christmas is first and foremost a message of amazing grace, of a God who comes near.
The second meaning of the Virgin Birth is a new creation, the beginning of a new world – what we couldn’t do for ourselves, God has and is doing. Into a world of brokenness and sadness God has come by means of a supernatural birth in the power of the Holy Spirit. But, what began there doesn’t end there: the same Spirit that hovered over Mary and brought about a miracle of new life and transformation in her can also do the same in us! We must be born again! Regardless of who we are or what we have done – we can be born again, can start a whole new life as part of the new world. Jesus is the answer to our deepest needs. He is God come among us in order to save us from our sins – to rescue us from the deepest cause of our alienation and brokenness. When we start from the inside out, we can hope that the entirety of our life experience can experience the transformation He brings.
Amen
Affirmation of faith
We say together:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
Hymn: 161 For Mary, Mother of the Lord
Intercessions by Helen Dunbar
As we share in Mary and Elizabeth’s joy at the coming of our Saviour, let us quieten and still ourselves, in the presence of God.
Dear Lord we bring our prayers and requests to you, please help us to put aside our busy rushing about, and to sense that awe and wonder which comes from an awareness that we are in your peace. We know that you understand our worries and fears, and so we pray trusting in your willingness to share our concerns for ourselves, and others. Keep your people faithful to the revelation that they have received, to be believing, and to receive your promises.
Lord of heaven, may the Church be quiet enough to hear your voice, humble enough to move your way, and excited enough to spread the good news.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Lord, we pray for the people in parts of the world where life is precarious, whether through terrorism, disaster, poverty, disease, drought, flooding or war. We pray that the time may be hastened when there is peace on earth and goodwill between all people. Especially as we pray for our precious world and the need for every nation to aim for ways to stop the pollution of our seas and rivers, and to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Lord in heaven, we pray for your church today, gathering worldwide in churches, chapels, and cathedrals, to praise you and to hear your holy word. Give us a sense of expectation as we enter and inspiration as we leave.
Dear Lord, bless all in positions of authority, that they may lead with integrity and respect for others, also to be mindful of the power they have and that they act with humility and a sense of right; may unjust practices be changed for good and conflicts and great tension be peacefully resolved.
We pray for your blessing on all those who play a part in church life and we pray especially for our own clergy here in the diocese as they seek to do your will and guide us through our spiritual and worldly journey of Advent, until the day when we celebrate together the birth of your Son on Christmas Day. We pray for our own much-loved Rev Diane and her family here in St Clement.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Give blessings to King Charles, Camilla, the Queen Consort and all the royal family, as they settle into royal life without the love and guidance of Queen Elizabeth.
Dear Lord as we approach Christmas we so often fail to hear you; we are busy with so much that we go about the things we do as though trapped in household chores and routines, hardly giving a thought to what our lives and the season of Advent is all about. Our spirits grow tired and you, Lord, can seem far away. Help us to hear your voice today and be with us with every gift we buy, every one we wrap and with those who receive and open them.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Loving God, we thank You for the gift of life and pray for those whose lives are troubled by illness, grief, poverty or injustice. We pray that in the darkness of their suffering and pain Your Advent light will shine to bring them the assurance and hope of the coming of your son Jesus. We remember at this time those known personally to us: Revd Diane and Ken, Alison and Rob, Terry and Dot, Margaret, Maureen, Brian, Rupert and Linda, Paul and Jan, Lyn, Stephen, Alison, Carole, and baby Willow, those known to each of us and those who have no one to pray for them.
We pray for all those who have died in faith, especially remembering Mary, giving thanks for the shining lives of the saints, and asking that with them we may come to share in the endless joy of heaven.
Lord in your mercy; hear our prayer
Dear Lord, who sent John the Baptist to proclaim the Good News, help us as we go from this church to be true heralds of the coming of Christ and to proclaim the Gospel through all we do and say.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of St Clement and St Andrew and all the saints.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray with confidence as Jesus taught us;
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Mary, Mother of Jesus by Denis Martindale
In Roman times, when swords were raised, And peace on earth was rare, There lived a girl now highly praised, A girl beyond compare … Her name was Mary, Joseph’s love, Betrothed, untouched by Man … Who met an angel from above Who then revealed God’s plan! The Lord chose you of all!
You shall conceive and then embrace The child that God must call! He shall be King and rightly so, Begotten of the Lord! And blessed is he, God’s Son to know… So, Mary, be assured!’ God’s Son was born as prophesied! To Mary, here on Earth… In time, she saw him crucified! Esteemed not for His worth! Her heart was broken just like His! She held His mortal frame! And neath her tears, a final kiss As she whispered His name… Her heart was numbed just like her soul… With trembling hands she prayed… Although she knew God kept control, Her spirit was dismayed! With trembling lips she sought His peace, Like none on Earth before! In hopes her faith would thus release A miracle and more! When Jesus left His tomb of death, The sun was rising, too… The Saviour savoured God’s new breath And knew what He must do… ‘With God, all things are possible! Forgiveness, born of faith!’ Such is the Gospel preached by Paul To those whom God would save…
The PEACE
Our Saviour Christ is the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
Hymn: 338 At the name of Jesus
The BLESSING
Let the majesty of the Father be the light by which we walk, The compassion of the Son be the love by which we walk, the presence of the Spirit be the power by which we walk.
Amen